Awesome story! Loved how you wrapped it up. The nightmare was creepy and vivid and it's understandable how Sam freaked out with the fire because it brought back the memories of their mother and Jess's death.

"Gates served time overseas, right? But for most of his term he was a POW, where he and three other soldiers, were repeatedly burned. When they were finally busted out, Gates was already messed up," Dean says before he takes a bite of his burger.

"Brainwashing?"

Dean shrugs, "Maybe. Or he could've just been monumentally messed up from the whole deal. Something that traumatizing does shit to you."

Sam frowns, "So it wasn't even his fault."

"Doesn't make it right. I don't care why he is the way that he is, or what happened to him; he tried to kill you and he's killed God only knows how many others," Dean states as he stares at Sam from across the table.

"I know, it's just…it's sad, you know? Makes it a little easier to forgive him, knowing that he was just a victim too," Sam says."

Aww, poor Sam - still trying to find the good in people. Man, how that all went south. Stupid show!